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Madrid and Lisbon more connected: the new bridge over the Sever that saves 100 km of road travel
A new international bridge will reduce the road journey between Madrid and Lisbon by 100 km. The direct connection between Extremadura and Portugal's Alto Alentejo will transform travel and mobility between the two countries.
Travelling between Madrid and Lisbon will soon be easier for those who cross the border by road. The construction of a new international bridge over the River Sever, between Cedillo (Extremadura) and Montalvão (Nisa, Portugal), cuts around 100 kilometres from the usual route. For those accustomed to travelling between the two countries, the difference will be noticeable in travel time and comfort, especially at weekends or during long bank holidays.
The work responds to a longstanding demand from towns on both sides of the border, which have called for a direct link for years. The bridge, 160 metres long and 11.5 metres wide, will have two lanes, hard shoulders and pavements. In addition, the infrastructure will incorporate details reflecting Portuguese identity, according to the Portuguese administration.
The company responsible for the project, Alexandre Barbosa Borges, S.A., has opted for a sustainable solution: two twin concrete arches supported on foundation blocks, thus avoiding piers in the riverbed. This decision seeks to minimise environmental impact and ensure the structure's durability.
Total investment amounts to 24 million euros, of which more than 5 million comes from the Junta de Extremadura and the remainder from the Portuguese side, with part financed by the Plan de Recuperación y Resiliencia. The bridge will not only make journeys easier, but could also boost the local economy and open up new options for breaks from Madrid.
Improved links between Spain and Portugal are not limited to the road. The long-awaited high-speed train between Madrid and Lisbon, planned for 2034, promises to link the two capitals in just two hours. Madrid is already beginning to move in that direction, adjusting its rhythm to more agile, connected mobility.
The border between Extremadura and Portugal's Alto Alentejo has been one of the least travelled on the peninsula for decades. The lack of direct infrastructure has shaped the lives of people living in the area and limited cultural and economic exchange. With the arrival of this bridge, the region is preparing for a new cycle of opportunities, in which distance ceases to be a barrier and Madrid feels a little closer to Lisbon.
Updated: 6 March 2026 16:48
New 3D renderings of the Cedillo-Montalvão international bridge show access details: in Portugal, a new 700 m corridor and the upgrading of 9 km of EM1139; in Spain, annual allocations for 2025–2028 of €5.17m (BOE Nov 2025).
Works are progressing towards completion in 2028, prioritising sustainability without piers in the Sever. This will boost Madrid-Lisbon breaks, saving ~1 hour.
Cedillo-Montalvão bridge progress, March 2026